France's Role in the South Caucasus: Peace or Provocation?

Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev accused France of destabilizing the South Caucasus region by arming Armenia and creating conditions for a new war. France, along with European and U.S. partners, stated that they are working towards a just and durable peace in the region. Azerbaijan recently recaptured the Karabakh region from Armenia, leading to an influx of ethnic Armenians fleeing to Armenia. Azerbaijan now seeks an advantageous peace deal with Armenia and has taken a tough stance towards Western countries, particularly France and the United States. Concerns have been raised about Azerbaijan potentially capturing more territory in southern Armenia to establish a corridor to its exclave of Nakhchivan. Azerbaijan, however, denies such intentions and expresses willingness for bilateral peace talks with Armenia without Western mediation.